Reading Film Comparing Literary Elements to Cinematic Elements Based on John Golden’s Reading in the Dark Reading Film

Cinematic Elements Reading Film

Cinematic Elements Shot type/framing Camera angles Lighting Sound Editing Key question: what are the effects of the director’s cinematic choices on the viewer?

Framing Close up: image takes up 80% of screen (face only) Long shot: image filmed from some distance (full body) Medium shot: between the two (waist up)

Framing close up long shot medium shot

Close-up

Close-up

Medium shot

Long shot

Long shot

Angles Low angle: camera is below subject High angle: camera is above the subject Eye level: even with subject

Low Angle

Low angle

Low angle

High angle

High angle

Lighting High key: bright Low key: dark, shadows Side/bottom: light on one side or below Front lighting: direct and even lighting

High-key lighting

Low-key lighting

Side lighting

Side lighting

Front lighting

Mixed lighting

Sound Diegetic: sound that logically could be heard by characters within the film environment Non-Diegetic: sound that cannot be heard by characters; it is for audience only

Editing Fade: fade to black, white, or color Cut: simple/common move between shots Fade: fade to black, white, or color Dissolve: image fades into another image Parallel editing/cross cutting: cut away to action that is happening simultaneously Eye-line match: person looking, cut to what is seen, return to person’s reaction

Eye-line match 1

Eye-line match 2

Eye-line match 3

Eye-line match 4

Cinematic: Putting it together Framing Angles Lighting Sound Editing Response

Theatrical: Putting it together Costumes Props Sets Acting Cinematic Response

Literary Elements Reading Film

Literary Elements Characterization Setting Conflict Theme Tone Irony Key question: how does the director use cinematic and theatrical elements to illustrate literary elements?

Acting Choices Gestures Movements Voice/Delivery

Sets

Putting it all together Cinematic Theatrical Shot type/framing Camera angles Lighting Sound Editing Costumes Props Sets Acting Choices Literary Response

Teaching a complete film Previewing: setting context, preparing students for themes, identifying terms During viewing: notetaking, reviewing of key scenes, discussing in pairs and groups After viewing: analysis of director choices, connection to theme/print text, application of ideas in another medium

Using film as a tool Students will practice reading strategies with a film or visual text and transfer those skills to print texts: Predicting Questioning Visualizing

Predicting What do you think will happen? Plot, character, theme, etc. Why do you make this prediction?

Questioning Level One: literal (what did the third pig use to build his house?) Level Two: interpretative (what are the qualities that allow the third pig to survive?) Level Three: universal (why is advanced planning often so difficult for us?)

(Let’s watch some film!) Thank-You!